Remember when everyone was worried about the Nationals' putrid offensive output? Come on, it's not that hard to remember. It was only a week ago that this team looked incapable of scoring more than two runs a night.

How quickly things have changed, because right now there's nothing hotter in D.C. than the Nats' bats (certainly now that the temperature has finally cooled off to manageable levels). Over their last six games, the Nationals have scored 33 runs. In that time, they've batted a collective .308 with a .377 on-base percentage and a stout .901 OPS.

"I've said it all along: Our offense is pretty good when it's rolling," said Adam Dunn, who is rolling as well as anyone in baseball right now. "Pretty much for the first half, we haven't been on. But I think the last week and a half, we've kind of relaxed a little bit and everyone's locked in."

The Nats will look to continue the offensive surge tonight against Giants left-hander Jonathan Sanchez, who one year ago today threw a no-hitter. Pretty cool that he's back on the mound exactly 365 days later.

As reported yesterday, Justin Maxwell has been recalled from Class AAA Syracuse to give the Nationals an extra position player until they need a fifth starter again (July 20 in Cincinnati). Jim Riggleman has wasted no time putting Maxwell right in his starting lineup, but not necessarily where you thought he might. Maxwell is leading off and playing center field tonight, giving Nyjer Morgan the night off against a lefty. Michael Morse is in right field as Riggleman stacks his lineup with right-handed bats.

Why do the Nats need an extra OF as a position player instead of say, an infielder? why spell Nyjer in CF with Maxwell instead of using Bernadina and putting Morse or Willie?I don't get the logic of the move

Ckstevenson – It is Rizzo's chance to get an extra position player and give his "man crush" another chance to shine.He is 12 for 38 in the last 10 games but you have to consider he can barely hit in righty/righty matchups so again Rizzo gives him a chance to shine in the classic lefty/righty.

I just have to make this comment about nyjer….first off I want to say I just love his hustle and energy he brings. It was sorely needed last year when he became a national.But I'm really starting to get a little annoyed at some of his mental mistakes. The steal last night with dunn at bat with 2 outs was horrible as far as I'm concerned. Dunn has been on fire and morgan would score on a double from first so what's the point of the steal right there? If he had been called out on that steal I bet riggleman may have benched him. It seems like he has a me first attitude some times instead of thinking about game situations.

LOL anon @ 4:25. I was saying the EXACT same thing to my girl in the stands when he did that. The mental mistakes are killing me. You got to know the situation in that part of the game. Dunn got lucky he got a pitch to hit from Cain. Facts are that Cain pitched a terrible game.

I completely agree with everyone that hates Morgan's mental mistake. I also don't think he should ever see the field versus a lefty so I'm not sad about him sitting tonight.I'd rather have Bernadina in CF though, instead of Maxwell.

The promotion of Maxwell gives the Nationals an extra bat & glove for the next 6 games, gratis. It's unlikely that Maxwell will hit his weight, let alone 'stick' beyond the 20th, so it probably only serves as a warning to Morgan to "straighten up & fly right", because you can be replaced.

The promotion of Maxwell gives the Nationals an extra bat & glove for the next 6 games, gratis. Maxwell's hitting .121. Willie "I'm right where I need to be" Harris is at least now hitting around .180. He should be an extra glove to replace Taveras but Riggleman is now proceeding full speed ahead into full MCM: "man crush mode". Where Morse will get 2 at bats before Harris comes in to replace him. Back to Guzman playing every day somewhere … and hurting the team with his fielding and dearth of walks (Although, of late he has been walking more when he bats later in the line up?)

Whitting's only been in AAA for a few weeks after being promoted from Potomac. While JMax has been truly underwhelming, I have no problem with this temporary promotion considering the way he's been playing recently. I also don't mind him starting tonight against a tough lefty. Bernandina hasn't played an entire season in over two years, so he's probably only good for about 130 games this year (don't know what his current pace would put him at). The Rigglemonster loves to righty heavy against premier left-handed starters and tonight is just another example of that. Sanchez is pretty filthy.

Stammen looks like the same old guy. A shame. I could hear him curse after that horrific 2nd inning. Guzman saved his butt on that Stammen throw to 2nd to start that double play. Another big RBI hit to a pitcher. Horrendous.Morse hits a HR and Maxwell strikes out to go with his walk. If Maxwell would stop trying to hit the ball 450 feel at each at bat and work on line drives, he may be more effective.

Riggs is managing his way out of a job inning by inning…..did anyone think Clippard was going to get out of that inning after the first walk?Hope Riggs like managing in AA because that is where is is going next year.

So when does Batista get exiled to Syracuse AAA? He has now allowed 6 home runs in 46 innings. Last year he allowed only seven in 74 innings. Aren't two grand slams? For far less Jason Bergmann got thrown off the 40-man and exiled to Syracuse. Another Riggs man crush in action.

Riggleman reacted too slowly to Clippard's performance. A manager should know when his relief pitchers are 'on' and when they are about to self destruct. Peralta would have been a better choice to be in there. Clipp and Save has become Trip and Cave!

@ManassasOf course Riggleman reacted to late. I told my brother who was sitting with me the moment he came in that we would lead before the inning was up. When the game has been on the line since the O's series he has been worthless. The last 7 games 6 IP and 11 Runs given up.He needs to go down to Syracuse and figure out what is wrong. Though I think most people know. He has quit pitching his fast ball for strikes, and is hanging change ups. GO down and fix it. That is five games now in the last 2 weeks he has a blown save. If the Nats hold on to those leads their record would be.500. That is how important what he has done has hurt the team. Riggleman just keeps putting hi,m out there, and in press conference it sounds like he plans to do that in the marlin series. Why? This is a league of what have you done for me lately.

Mark – Thanks for the quick response.It was a head scratcher. Maxwell made an awkward swing like trying to connect in a botched hit-n-run but then again, most of his swings are awkward. Certainly could have been just a bad double steal all the same.0-4 batting .108 and batting at lower average than SIX pitchers on the Nats roster.

Everyone in the park knew Clippard didn't have it tonight after the first walk, except for those who knew after the home run. He was laboring, leaving every pitch up. How could Riggleman leave him out there to get shelled and blow the game? Inexcusable. I also seriously question running for Morse in the 6th inning up by only a run, and having Desmond bunt with a man on second. This game was way over-managed and the Nats paid the price. Too bad because we had a promising start and could very easily have won the game.